“It’s a problem and we recognize as the police department that it’s an issue and we’re doing everything we can on our end to investigate these matters,” Kohler said. “We do have some leads on these but we would like more information. And we would like the community to contact us if they feel they have more information that would aid us in this investigation. We would ask that the community call in if they recognize what they believe is any suspicious behavior.”

Kohler said the “dozens” of reports of graffiti that has been seen in “all styles and types,” this winter has been highly unusual for the season.

“We usually don’t experience these type of issues in the wintertime,” he said. “People are continuing to do it now into the winter months, it used to be just a spring, summer, fall type of issue and now it appears to be continuing throughout the winter months.”

There are consequences to writing graffiti, Kohler said, emphasizing that it could lead to misdemeanor or even felony charges of malicious destruction of property, depending on the amount of property damage.

Pictured is grafitti found on various signs throughout the city. (Photo courtesy of Marquette Police Department)

“It could be a misdemeanor if the damage is under $1,000; but if it’s over $1,000 it’s classified as a felony,” he said.

He also said that the department has had “good success in the past with finding parties responsible” and that charges were issued in those cases.

Graffiti also has consequences for property owners and the community as a whole, Kohler said.

“For one, it’s unsightly but, two, it costs people money to have that stuff taken off their building or whatever its painted on,” he said. “In the case of the overpass or along the highways, MDOT has to pay somebody to get that stuff off of that. If it’s a private business owner, they have to pay to removed. But if people don’t get them removed, they end up with the problem of the general area being unsightly.”

Kohler again emphasized the need for the community’s assistance with the matter, saying that callers are encouraged to report any suspicious activity — graffiti-related or not — and can remain completely anonymous.

“We’re certainly at the point where we need the citizens to help us out if they have information,” he said.

The Marquette Police Department asks anyone with information on graffiti or suspicious activity to call 906-228-0400 and ask for Detective Sergeant Archocosky.